After 10 years together, Aussie alternative rock outfit New Empire has announced they are breaking up. In a statement posted to their Facebook page earlier today, front man Jeremy Fowler announced the news saying, “After ten years, three albums, thousands of friends and countless memories, we have decided it is time to call it a day for New Empire.”
The Cronulla based four piece formed in 2005, and after the success of their debut single, “The Summer Sky,” they went on to release “Come With Me Tonight,” “Symmetry,” and most recently “In A Breath” through Tooth & Nail Records. Spawning numerous singles including “Ghosts” and their hit “Fallen Soldiers,” the band are releasing their final video for the single “In A Breath” later today.
Filmed by Epik Productions, the video is dedicated to their fans and family members. Fowler stated, “It is dedicated to you, and especially anyone who has lost a loved one far too early in this life.” The song itself was penned about Fowler’s journey after his mother passed away.
Currently consisting of Fowler, Kale Kneale (drums), Kyle Lane (Lead Guitar) and Nathan Cairns (Bass), they will go on their final tour this October. Aptly titled, “The Final Tour,” it will give fans and friends across New Zealand and Australia the chance to say farewell to the band for a final time.
“We’re determined to make this tour the best we’ve ever done, and we’ll be playing many songs from all three albums this October,” said Fowler in the band’s statement. “We’re also really excited to be partnering with Love Mercy Foundation who are an incredible charity organization doing phenomenal work changing lives in Uganda, Africa.”
In the band’s 10-year history it has gone through six members, with Lane joining after Sam Walker parted ways with the band in 2011, and Cairns stepping in for Peter Gillies in 2014. They have toured across Australia, featuring at Easterfest, Parachute Music Festival and Forest Edge Musical Festival, and have opened for Switchfoot, Owl City and Good Charlotte. Their single “One Heart/Million Voices” was selected as the Australian theme song for the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Signing off by saying, “Thank you for your love and support. It’s been wild,” dates for their upcoming tour have just been announced. For more details and to view the full statement from New Empire, you can go to their Facebook page here.